Chiefs’ offense seems more prepared than defense, but Chargers aren’t buying it

Outside of Arrowhead Stadium the perception is clear. At least in the early going, the Chiefs’ offense is in better shape to excel than their defense.

The explanation is simple. The offense presents few, if any mysteries. An experienced quarterback in Alex Smith who is well-versed in coach Andy Reid’s system, an offensive line that has functioned with few changes since the beginning of training camp and weapons at running back, wide receiver and tight end shape a confident group.

Even with running back Jamaal Charles unlikely to play in Sunday’s opener against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium (noon on CBS), the Chiefs offense seems as potent as it has been in Reid’s four seasons.

The questions enter on the defensive side. Can linebacker Dee Ford become an adequate replacement for the injured Justin Houston? Will inexperience be a factor at cornerback?

Reid said he understands the notion that his offense is poised to be up and running quicker. But it’s not a conversation-starter with him, or the Chiefs.

“I guess from the outside,” Reid said. “On the inside, you’re trying to execute it right every play, and it’s important that you just stick to that.”

If the Chiefs find themselves engaging in shootouts, it would mark a different operating method than last season. The Chiefs’ regular-season-ending 10-game winning streak was largely defined by a stout and opportunistic defense.

In the final eight games, the Chiefs allowed an NFL-low 105 points. That span included two victories against the Chargers, who were held to one field goal in each of their defeats.

Not that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers needed to be reminded.

“You score six points against a team in eight quarters you’re probably not going to win,” Rivers said. “And we expect them to be what they’ve been, which is a heck of a defense.”

But Houston, who returned an interception for a touchdown against the Chargers last season, begins the season on the physically unable to perform list and won’t return until at least October. His pass-rushing partner, Tamba Hali, is expected play on Sunday but missed all of training camp and didn’t log a snap in the preseason. Neither did safety Eric Berry, who is also expected to play Sunday.

Marcus Peters, a second-year pro, returns as one of the league’s most productive cornerbacks but the other projected starter, Phillip Gaines, has eight career starts and is coming off knee surgery.

Don’t tell the Chargers that the Chiefs defense has less of a growl with Ford, who had the best game of his pro career with three sacks and a pass breakup in the back of the end zone on the final play of the 10-3 victory at Arrowhead.

As for an acclimation period for Hali and Berry, Chargers coach Mike McCoy will have none of that.

“It’s a very talented defense,” McCoy said. “Their scheme is in place, and the veterans aren’t playing a ton (in the preseason) anyway.”

Preseason results support the case for a strong offense. In 10 possessions over three games in which Smith started at quarterback, the Chiefs scored four touchdowns and three field goals. Enthusiasm for its potential is palatable.

“I feel really good about it,” Smith said. “Run and pass, a lot of guys touching the football, a lot of guys contributing, a lot of guys with a ton of strengths that are really going to help us.

“And there’s a confidence that comes with knowing your system, your fundamentals, the way you’ve been coached, the way you’ve prepared.”

Still, the Chiefs say they go into no game believing they need to win in any specified manner, a shootout or otherwise.

“Everyone holds themselves accountable, offense, defense and special teams,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “We’re all in this thing the same way.”

Besides, Kelce said, he can recall times saluting his defense for handling more than its share of the workload.

“They’ve come up and saved us plenty of times in years past,” he said.

This season, the early outlook suggests returning the favor looms as a possibility.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ offense seems more prepared than defense, but Chargers aren’t buying it."